Rod's Odds: Week 14 - Newcastle

The south coast was beautiful, the sun was shining while we had afternoon tea, the jam was locally made and it was a pleasant time with my wife, however the darts did not turn up so I missed some great live darts. Luckily our hotel had Sky sports and I did not miss most of my tips coming in.

Phil Taylor looked very edgy in his first game against Van Barneveld last week and when 3-1 up you expected him to push on, however Barney was given a chance and the 118 checkout got him back in the game and Taylor in the end just grabbed the draw, one he so needed.

His second game against Chisnall was much easier and a convincing win as predicted.

Dave Chisnall's night was a bad one as he got beaten by Robert Thornton first on and the advice to back the Thorn to win the 180s at 2/1 and him to win the game at 8/5 was bang on.

The tip of the night, however, had to go with Gary Anderson on the handicap at +2.5 at 6/5 and as predicted, he now has the doubling to beat Mighty Mike and anyone else now. I feel he will get to the 02 and as I said a bet on him to bank another Premier title is well and truly on the cards.

Peter Wright proved that the guts and determination that he has learnt over the last two years kept him in the game against Adrian Lewis, the draw was not a good result for Adi, however it keeps Peter in that fourth position.

Wright's run-in is a tough one and could see him lose out, as for Adi he's out of the race and will bounce back but I would like to see more bounce in his game and the speed of that third dart is far too quick for me.

Newcastle in the North East hosts night fourteen "yes it is Newcastle" and with only four games on the night things are now really hotting-up for the 02.

The two Dutchmen, Van Gerwen and Van Barneveld, lead on 20 points and although mathematically one of them could lose out, for me they are both safe. Third is Taylor on 17 and close behind are Wright and Anderson on 16, only four out of those five have chances for the finals.

First game of the night is Gary Anderson taking on Dave Chisnall, and the way the Scot is playing then he will be the favourite by far (5/6). His game, as proven last week, is tuned very well and there are no signs that those missed doubles could be coming back to haunt him.

Chisnall (2/1), we know has that extra gear, however he is not in that top gear enough in matches and his lack of consistency has certainly let him down.

I have got to go with an Anderson win and although Chizzy can spoil anyone's party I don't think it will be Gary's that he spoils, Anderson needs this win and to beat Barney in his last game to have any chance of those finals.

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The second game sees two players that cannot make the finals when Adrian Lewis takes on Robert Thornton. If the Thorn wins this he will jump above Adi and so this game could make one of them £10.000 richer, so there is still plenty to play for.

The form line is strongly with Thornton, not only the last two weeks in the Premier League and the 15 180s he's hit in those two games, but also he won both tour events last weekend.

Adi as I said last week looks tired and that last dart worries me, he is such a great player and someone that can turn up and absolutely blow anyone away, however he will have to be focused to win this one.

I'm going strictly with the form book and go with Thornton, his odds at 7/4 are the best you will ever see considering that form line, I'm also going with him on the 180 race (11/10).

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The next game could be a straight knock-out for the 02 when Phil Taylor takes on Peter Wright; this game on the form and reputation is with Taylor, however Wright has proven what a great player with plenty of bottle he is now, and learning all the time.

Last week against Barney, Phil looked edgy going for doubles and if the same happens this week then he will have to look out as Pete will punish him as he has done so many times this year.

Wright at 10/3 is great odds if you are fans, however I just feel that Taylor will turn up with a 106+ average and with that leg on leg pressure he exerts on his opponents.

Taylor win.

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The last game for the Geordie crowd matches the two Dutchmen, and bragging rights are the meal of the day here. A draw guarantees both of them reach the finals, and while the loser still has a chance of not making it, I feel the leg difference should keep them in.

This is a tough call as in my eyes both players are not at the very top of their form. Although Barney has only lost one game this year, he has become the draw specialist, the reason for that is that he has taken those doubles when needed, when a player has that in his locker then he does not worry so much about the scoring power, that's where Barney is at the moment.

Van Gerwen certainly has come off the top of his form and he's a player, like Lewis, who goes missing in legs too often at the moment, and that's where this game will be won or lost on the missed doubles.

The draw would be the cop out bet here (4/1), however I'm going to chuck the form book away and go with Van Gerwen (8/11), I just think that he will be so up for being the No 1 Dutchman, that that for me will be the difference.

For you Barney fans the 9/4 is great odds.

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Bets.

Anderson 5/6 and Thornton 7/4 double, stick Taylor in at 1/2 if you fancy the treble.

Thornton more 180s then Lewis (11/10), and the most on the night (7/2).

I fancy Taylor to step up and have the highest checkout on the night (4/1).

Hey I might have them all wrong and if you think I have then go for those four draws, you never know.

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